Contact us about Leather Bullion Box by Melliship & Harris With Original Key Circa 1872

Leather Cash Box or Bullion Box By Melliship & Harris Overall this little box is in fabulous original condition: Two fine leather lined compartments with lifting lids. Each with gold embossing Gold / Silver with the original leather finger lifts to the lids. Original key It's very rare to find these boxes in such good clean complete original condition. Internally the wear is exceptionally light. Externally the surfaces are clean and carrying very little wear from its 100+ years of age. The structure of the box is strong and sound and overall is in great original condition. The key is the original and the lock works very well. Dimensions: Height: 8 cm Width: 11 cm Length: 15 cm Era:1872 - 1914, C19th early 20th Century Melliship and Harris Company History The firm Melliship and Harris was founded by George Melliship and John Harris in 1858. First listed in an 1860 London City Directory as Melliship & Harris, Booksellers, Stationers, Engravers, Printers and Bookbinders, 62 Westbourne Grove, Bayswater. By 1865 the business had moved down the street to 37 Westbourne Grove, where they added Dressing Case, Travel Bag and Despatch Box Manufacturer to its list of high-quality products. By March 1869 the partnership between the two men was dissolved and John Harris carried on the business by himself but retained the Melliship and Harris Branding. By 1872 the business had moved to 111 Westbourne Grove. Ever evolving, in 1875 Melliship and Harris were promoting themselves as Stationers, Jewellers, Importers of Foreign & Fancy Goods, Travelling Bags & Despatch Box Manufacturers. The company’s advertisements during this period were extensive and elaborate, and provided interesting details regarding the varied types of quality merchandise they sold. Unfortunately, there are no more records of the company after 1914, they were possibly a casualty of the war. All their lovely stock items were sold off at auction by Auction House John Baker & Co, Kensington High Street on the 15th November 1918. This lovely Bullion Box dates from the 1872 period when they were in residence at 111 Westbourne Grove.